Complex configuration processing using configuration sub-models

Abstract

A configuration model dividing and configuration sub-model inference processing system and procedure addresses the issue of configuration model and query complexity by breaking a configuration problem down into a set of smaller problems, solving them individually and recombining the results into a single result that is equivalent to a conventional inference procedure. In one embodiment, a configuration model is divided into configuration sub-models that can respectively be processed using existing data processing resources. A sub-model inference procedure provides a way to scale queries to larger and more complicated configuration models. Thus, the configuration model dividing and configuration sub-model processing system and inference procedure allows processing by a data processing system of configuration models and queries whose collective complexity exceeds the complexity of otherwise unprocessable conventional, consolidated configuration models and queries.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention relates in general to the field of information processing, and more specifically to a system and method for processing complex configuration problems using configuration sub-models.[0003]2. Description of the Related Art[0004]Computer assisted product configuration continues to offer substantial benefits to a wide range of users and industries. FIG. 1 depicts a conventional product configuration process 100 performed by a configuration engine 101. The configuration process 100 represents one embodiment of an inference procedure. In one embodiment of a conventional inference procedure, configuration query 102 is formulated based on user configuration input, a configuration engine performs the configuration query 102 using a configuration model 104, and the configuration engine provides an answer 106 to the configuration query 102 based on the configuration query 102 and the contents of the configura...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]In one embodiment, a sub-model inference procedure provides a way to scale queries to larger and more complicated configuration models. In one embodiment of the present invention, a method for using computer assisted configuration technology to solve product configuration problems using configuration sub-models includes processing one or more configuration queries using configuration sub-models, wherein the configuration sub-models collectively model a configurable product and generating an answer to the configuration problem based upon the processed one or more configuration queries and the configuration sub-models.

[0012]In another embodiment of the present invention, a computer system to implement an inference procedure for solving product configuration problems using configuration sub-models includes a processor and a storage medium having data encoded therein. The data includes processor executable code for processing one or more configuration queries using configuration sub-models, wherein the configuration sub-models collectively model a configurable product and generating an answer to the configuration problem based upon the processed one or more configuration queries and the configuration sub-models.

[0013]In another embodiment of the present invention, a computer storage medium comprising data embedded therein to cause a computer system to solve product configuration problems using configuration. The data includes code for processing one or more configuration queries using configuration sub-models, wherein the configuration sub-models collectively model a configurable product and generating an answer to the configuration problem based upon the processed one or more configuration queries and the configuration sub-models.

[0014]In another embodiment of the present invention, a computer system to implement an inference procedure for solving product configuration problems using configuration sub-models. The system includes means for processing one or more configuration queries using configuration sub-models, wherein the configuration sub-models collectively model a configurable product and means for generating an answer to the configuration problem based upon the processed one or more configuration queries and the configuration sub-models.

Problems solved by technology

Solving configuration problems using computer assisted technology often requires a significant amount of data processing capabilities.

In any event, the practical complexity achievable for configuration models has been limited by the ability of computer systems to process data within a given period of time, T, and / or limited by other processing constraints, such as a lack of memory.

Thus, the computer system could not reasonably process configuration models and configuration queries having a complexity represented by point B.

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